Following a recent incident involving Venezuelan migrants attacking a man on a Chicago train, authorities have highlighted the increasing number of criminal offenses allegedly committed by illegal immigrants in the United States. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has confirmed the detention of 21-year-old Jesus Sandoval-Martinez, a Mexican migrant accused of a deadly DUI hit-and-run in New Mexico.
Exclusive footage obtained by Fox News reveals a disturbing incident on February 17, 2024, where a group of Venezuelan migrants brutally assaulted a man on a Chicago train. The attack underscores the growing concern over the rise in criminal activity allegedly perpetrated by undocumented immigrants in the United States.
In a separate incident, authorities in New Mexico arrested 21-year-old Jesus Sandoval-Martinez, an undocumented Mexican immigrant, in connection with a fatal DUI hit-and-run that killed a 22-year-old man. ICE confirmed that Sandoval-Martinez entered the U.S. illegally and was charged with two counts of vehicular homicide, reckless driving, and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.
Venezuelan Immigrants in US: Rise in Criminal Activity and ICE Detentions
Data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reveals a significant increase in the apprehensions of "criminal noncitizens" attempting to enter the country without authorization. In fiscal year 2024, over 13,000 such individuals were apprehended, a sharp rise from 4,269 in fiscal year 2019.
The cases involving Sandoval-Martinez and the Venezuelan migrants accused of killing 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray in Houston are not isolated incidents. Victor Antonio Martinez Hernandez, a 23-year-old illegal El Salvadorian migrant, was arrested on charges of raping and murdering a Maryland mother.
Venezuelan Immigrants in US: Rise in Criminal Activity and ICE Detentions
Authorities and law enforcement agencies have expressed alarm over the increasing number of criminal offenses allegedly committed by undocumented immigrants. These incidents range from violent attacks to drug trafficking and human smuggling.
ICE is responsible for enforcing federal immigration laws and apprehending undocumented immigrants. The agency's "detainer" system allows it to ask state and local law enforcement agencies to hold individuals suspected of being in the country illegally until ICE can take them into custody.
Venezuelan Immigrants in US: Rise in Criminal Activity and ICE Detentions
The surge in criminal activity involving illegal immigrants has fueled debates about immigration policies in the United States. Some advocates argue for stricter border enforcement measures, while others emphasize the need for comprehensive immigration reform that addresses both undocumented immigration and the root causes that drive people to leave their home countries.
Experts and policymakers have called for enhanced border security measures, including increased funding for CBP, the deployment of additional agents, and the construction of physical barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border. They also emphasize the need for comprehensive immigration legislation that provides a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants meeting certain criteria.
The recent incidents involving Venezuelan migrants in Chicago and the Mexican migrant accused of a fatal hit-and-run highlight the growing concern over the rise in criminal activity allegedly committed by undocumented immigrants in the United States. These incidents underscore the need for effective border security measures and comprehensive immigration reforms to address the challenges posed by illegal migration.
